INSPRIATIONAL. This is one word to describe the work done by the Ebony Horse Club, which proudly claims to be changing lives in the heart of Brixton.

This is a pivotal time for the London-based organisation, whose mission is to use horses to raise the education, life skills, wellbeing and aspirations of young people from disadvantaged communities within Lambeth. Getting the Club to where it is today has required dedication and commitment from many, and now they are on the verge of being gifted the use of another premises in Southwark, an official endorsement of their valuable work.

In Britain, where royal patronage is a hallmark of a job well done, and to an exceptional standard, Ebony Horse Club can claim Queen Camilla as their President. A noted equestrian herself, she took on the role in early 2009, just months after paying a visit to the Club, no doubt inspired by what she found. Less than three years later she opened the Ebony Community Riding Centre.

Speaking as the proud President of the Ebony Horse Club, her own words, Queen Camilla said: “I am hugely impressed by its work with young people in one of London’s most deprived inner city areas. Learning to ride takes a lot of courage, patience and determination, and it allows children to discover inner strengths they never knew they had and, even more importantly, improves their self-confidence.”

Much of that self-confidence was on show recently when six graduates of the Club’s training programme, along with members of staff and Sue Collins, the chair of their trustees, spent four days in Ireland, as guests of Dan and Sue Foley’s Clonshire Equestrian outside Adare.

Khadijah Mellah

For many, the Ebony Horse Club first came to national and international prominence thanks to Khadijah Mellah, now a youth patron of the group. In 2019, while studying for her A levels, Khadijah rode Haverland to victory in the Magnolia Cup at Glorious Goodwood. Her prior experience was simply riding for years at Ebony Horse Club.

That win, and Khadijah’s story, made headlines around the world, and the documentary made about her journey to racecourse success, Riding a Dream, drew audiences in their millions. Today, Khadijah continues to inspire youngsters in the Club, where she still rides out regularly, and she is studying engineering at university, as well as working as an ambassador for diversity in racing.

The publicity that Khadijah Mellah generated for Ebony Horse Club has brought support from many quarters. Diversity of a different kind is shown in the profiles of three others who, along with Khadijah, act as the charity’s patrons. Racing fans will be well acquainted with Oli Bell, the ITV presenter, eventing followers will know Charlotte Steel, a former member of the Great Britain team, while ITV News’ senior correspondent, Ronke Philips, is another.

Special place

Bell went to see the work done at the charity, which is described as a special place. He said: “Through the relationship with horses, these young men and women are able to learn so many important characteristics, such as respect, discipline, kindness, team spirit and community – many aspects of life that those more fortunate take for granted.

“In the case of the young riders I met when I visited Ebony, it was clear that this centre has given them a second family, and given them a real sense of purpose. It was genuinely, incredibly moving, and had a huge impact on my own outlook towards life. To be asked to be a patron is a tremendous honour, one of which I am incredibly proud. The beauty of Ebony is that everyone is in it together.”

Charlotte Steel echoed much of what Bell said, and added: “Ebony Horse Club has transformed the lives of so many youngsters in Brixton and nearby areas, and has involved much of the community in a good and positive way. I have always enjoyed working with and helping young people. They have such open minds.

“They are soaking up the discipline, courage, attention to details and care of another living creature like sponges, and have changed and bettered their lives, attitudes and chances as a result of their involvement with Ebony. It is hugely rewarding to feel you are helping to make a difference, and giving some young people the chances and choices they deserve.”

Julian White

A face that visitors to the Dublin Horse Show, and fans of the hunter classes, will be familiar with is that of Julian White. He is a trustee of the Ebony Horse Club, and has had a long association with the group. A highly-respected horseman and trainer, he was invited to be the ridden judge at the Dublin Horse Show in 2019, where his skill and style was much admired.

Julian has been a volunteer instructor since the centre opened in Brixton, and the aims of the Club are especially close to his heart. He has personal experience of overcoming prejudice in the equine world, and one of his key interests is in breaking down stereotypical attitudes.

Brooke’s pride in the Club’s alumni

SIR Francis Brooke is well-known in many spheres of racing and breeding, and he is an enthusiastic supporter of the Ebony Horse Club.

Perhaps best-known as the King’s representative at Ascot, he and his wife, Lady Katherine, are racehorse owners and breeders. In recent years Francis took over Glenbevan Stud in Croom from his late mother, Lady Melissa Brooke, and there he hopes to enjoy some of the great breeding successes that came her way.

Being at home in Croom during the visit of the Ebony Horse Club to nearby Clonshire, Francis used the opportunity to host the visitors at his beautiful farm, and the occasion was also the scene of a presentation to the six students of mementoes of their course completion and graduation, and of their first visit to Ireland.

Praising the work of the students, all of whom he had previously met and engaged with, Francis told the students that they were an example to their peers, a credit to the Club, and he was delighted to know that they would continue to be associated with the work of Ebony, and that they would help to inspire those following on. The six students graduating are the first to do so, and some hope to continue to work with horses in various roles.

As Alumni Ambassadors for the Ebony Horse Club, the six graduates will mentor younger members, giving them the benefit of their experience and education.

As part of the four-day visit, the students got to ride out at Clonshire, and there Dan and Sue Foley gave their full backing to this new collaboration, and look forward to growing the bonds into the future. The students also joined with others from the Moyross Youth Academy and they took a day trip to visit RACE and the Irish National Stud. There they also got to see the Japanese Gardens, while a visit to the Farriery School was a special delight

Wesley Joyce

It was the perfect match to join with Catherine and her team at Moyross Youth Academy, as they do much of the same work carried out by the Ebony Horse Club.

Leading young jockey Wesley Joyce is a graduate of both the Moyross Youth Academy and RACE, and it was a visit to the latter that was one of the main inspirations for him to pursue his dream.

“I remember visiting RACE at a young age. I loved the set-up there, the thoroughbreds, the yard, the simulator and the trainee jockeys wearing the best gear. I knew from those early visits that RACE was for me. This was always my goal, and having that goal and support from my family and the staff of Moyross Youth Academy is what kept me on the straight and narrow, which I now understand wasn’t always easy for them.

“RACE was where I felt the plan to become a jockey got very real for me. They set me up on placement with Johnny Murtagh, and that’s where I work now. It’s a very exciting place to be.”

The Irish National Stud visit was a chance for the Ebony team to expand their horizons, and see other aspects of the industry at close quarters. It also brought out the competitive spirit in the students when they visited the Racehorse Experience as part of the tour. There they could immerse themselves in buying a yearling, choosing a trainer and colours, and finally partnering their horse in a simulated race.

Comment

I WAS delighted to be tipped off recently by Sir Francis Brooke that the Ebony Horse Club was set to visit Limerick.

It gave me an opportunity to meet key members of the charity, interact with the six graduating students, and to learn more about the work of the group. I was not disappointed.

From the moment I set foot in Clonshire, and was welcomed with open arms by Sue and Dan Foley, deep in conversation with Liz Barry from Manister House Stud and Lady Harrington, to my departing Glenbevan, fortified by a delicious chicken pie and apple tart, the visit was one to fill me with hope.

Sue Collins, chair of the Ebony Horse Club’s trustees, is a remarkable force of nature, imbuing everyone around her with joy. She has a wealth of equestrian and business experience, and many other skills too, and it is evident that she adores the work of the charity, and is very excited about future growth possibilities. She said: “This was an extraordinary opportunity for these young people, and to meet their peers from Moyross.”

Also playing a key role in the visit was the Club’s Youth Programmes Manager, Charlotte Lavender. As a youth worker for many years, she says herself that she is “living the dream, combining two of my biggest passions and seeing a lifelong vision come true, youth work with horses in the city!”

She was especially appreciative of the care taken of them by everyone, notably Ballycannon Lodge and Aunty Lena’s.

As we were shown the horses at Glenbevan, I took time to speak with as many of the students as I could, and was struck by their desire to succeed, alongside their willingness to give something back. They are all proud of their roots, keen to dispel stereotypes, and all are a credit to their families and their communities. I look forward to watching their future careers, and to visiting them in London soon.